Massage machine



March 21, 1961 w. N. MOXLEY MASSAGE MACHINE Filed July 25, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 1 11 744 lAM M Mon. 5?

[E a L INVENTOR.

March 1961 w. N. MOXLEY 2,976,437

MASSAGE MACHINE Filed July 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MAL/AM M Aim 45INVENTOR.

United States Patent MASSAGE MACHINE William N. Moxley, 3821 Don TomasoDrive, Los Angeles. 8', Calif;

Filed July 25, 19 57, Set. No. 674,103

6 Claims. (CI. 31(l6'3) The present invention relates to machines orapparatus for imparting a mechanical massaging action to differentregions of a persons body.

An object of the invention is to provide a massage machine for impartinga mechanical massaging action to a persons body, which has a smooth andconsistent operation, is capable of withstanding substantial loads overlong periods, and is relatively quietwhile in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric, motoroperated massage machine for imparting a mechanical massaging action to;a 'persons body, in which the motor does not overheat, remaining in acomparatively cool state, despite continuous use of the machine overextended periods and under comparatively heavy load conditions.

A further'object of the invention is to providean electric motoroperated massage machine for imparting, a mechanical massaging action toa persons body, the motor having a smooth and quiet operation, beingofstrong and sturdy construction, and comparatively economical tomanufacture.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may. be made moreclearly ape parent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings ac-.companying and forming part of the present specification. It will now bedescribed in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, with parts shown in elevation,through a massage machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section takenalon-g the line 2'-2 on Fig.: 1;.

Fig.- 3-.is a cross-section taken; along the; line 3-3 on Fig. 1

Fig. 4. is a section taken along the line 4-4 on Fig.. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section. taken along the line 5-5 on F Fig. 6 is asection taken along the line 6--6 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an exploded isometric projection of. the motor casing orhousing;

Fig. 8 is an isometric projection of one ofthe bearing cushioningmembers.

v The massage machineshown in the drawings is; particularly adapted forapplication, either directly or indirectly, to parts of a persons bodyfor the purpose of imparting a massaging action thereto. The machine maybe applied directly to the persons body, or may be incorporated in otherapparatus or devices to impart its massaging action therethrough to thepersons body. Examplesof such other devices are pillows, in which. themassage machine is. contained, different parts. of a pen souls-bodybeing: adapted. to bear or rest upon the-pillow; and-chairs in which a;person may be; seated; or recline,

a massaging, action being transmitted from the machine, through the.different parts of the chair, to the various areas of the persons body.The particular machine illustrated does not impose merely a straightline vibratory motion to the persons body, but more in the nature of acircular orgyratory motion, so as to actually impart a generallycircular massaging action to the various regions of the persons body.

The massage machine includes an electric motor 10. Extending from oneend of the motor casing 11 is an armature or rotor shaft 12, theextended portion 13 of which is preferably square in cross-section andfits snugly through a companion square bore in an eccentric 14 havingthe desired degree of eccentricity or throw. The eccentric ispreferablymade of a synthetic resin, so that it can be forced upon the armatureshaft 13 toprovide a snug fit therewith. Because of its characteristics,the synthetic resin eccentric 14 minimizes the generation andtransmission of sound. It has been found that the making of theeccentric of synthetic resin reduces the noise level of the massagemachine to a considerable extent without adversely affecting, itsoperation.

The eccentric 14 is retained upon the armature shaft 13 against endwisedisplacement therealong in any suitable manner, as by means of a cotterpin 15 adjacent the outer ens of the eccentric and extending through thearmature shaft.

Surrounding the eccentric 14 is an inner race 16 of a radial type ofrollable bearing 17-around which ride ball bearing elements 18. Theseelements, in turn, ride upon an outer race 19 surrounding the bearingelements and the inner race 16; This outer race is disposed within ahearing support 20 encompassing the entire bearing structure 17, theouter race 19 being secured tothe bearing support against rotationthrough the intermediary of a rubher or rubber-like cushion member 21which includes a base portion 22 engaging a. transverse shoulder 23 ofthe bearing support and a plurality of circumferentially spaced rubberfingers or segments 24 surrounding the outer race. The rubber-likecushion member 21 will permit some relative gyratory motion to occurbetween the bearing support 20 and the bearing. 17, eccentric 14, andshaft 12 disposed therewithin.

The bearing support 20 actually forms one end of a main frame 25 throughwhich the massaging action, resulting from the rotationof the eccentric14, is transmitted. Extending substantially radially from the bearingsupport 20 is an arm 26 integral therewith, or otherwise suitablysecured thereto, the outer end ofthis arm being integral with, orotherwise suitably secured to, a base or shoe plate 27 extending to oneside of or generally lengthwise of the electric motor 10 to its oppositeend. The other end'of the shoe plate is integral with, or is suitablysecured to, another generally radial arm 28 which extends inwardlytoward the axis of the massage machine, the inner portion of this armbeing integral with across-piece or bar 29, to which the rear end of theelectric motor casing 11 is attached through the agency of a flexibleconnection or coupling 30. Extending generally radially from thecross-piece or bar is an arm extension 31 integral therewith.

The flexible connection or coupling 30 will permit the left-hand or rearportion of the electric motor 10 and of the main frame 25 to have arelative gyratory or universal motion, to permit appropriate operationof the rotatable eccentric 114 in. imparting a circular or gyratoryaction to the main frame 25 of the machine. As specifically disclosed,the flexible coupling 30 includes a plate 82;, preferably made of afibrous material, disposed in; a'plane substantially parallel to themotor axis. The fibrous or flexible plate, of asuitable thicknessincludes a; body, portiondii extending across and bearing against spacedscrews 48.

the inner surface 29a of the cross-piece or bar 29. For the purpose ofincreasing the bearing area of the plate against the cross-piece or barand the effective crosssection of the flexible plate itself, so as tobetter withstand the gyratory action, the arm extension 31 has a groove34 to permit the body portion 33 of the flexible plate to be disposedunder the extension against a greater'area of surface of the cross-piece29. Disposed on opposite sides of the arm extension are a pair of outerarms 35 of the plate that lie snugly against the sides of the extension31. These arms have holes therethrough through which screws 36 may passinto companion threaded holes in the cross-piece 29, the heads of thescrews preferably bearing against washers 37 engaging the outer surfaceof the plate 32, to firmly secure the flexible plate to the cross-pieceor bar 29.

The inner portion of the flexible plate 32 is disposed within or under atransverse flange 38 integral with and extending axially of the rear endwall 39 of the motor housing or casing 11. This flange 38 liessubstantially parallel to the surface 29a of the cross-piece or bar 29,and bears against the flexible plate 32. The latter plate is firmlysecured to the motor housing flange 38 by bolts 40 extending throughholes in the flange and flexible plate, the heads .-1 of the boltsbearing against washers 42 engaging the outer surface of the flange 38,while nuts 43 threaded on the bolts may bear against washers 44 engagingthe opposed surface of the flexible plate, thereby clamping the plate 32firmly against the inner surface of the transverse flange 38.

As the electric motor shaft 12 rotates, the eccentric 14 imposes agyratory action to the right or forward end of the main frame 11, inwhich the eccentric 14, bearing 17, and rubber cushioning member 21 arecarried. During such eccentric rotation, the flexible plate 32 deflectsto a sufficient extent to permit the gyratory action to occur. Theflexible plate may be made of fiber, leather, or similar material. Inview of its arrangement and coaction with the motor housing 1 1 and thearm 23 of the main frame of the apparatus, it possesses a. long andeffective life without breakage or tearing.

The massage action,due to the rotating eccentric 14, is imparted to acup-shaped closure member 45, the skirt portion 46 of which is adaptedto slide and fit snugly over the bearing support 20, this skirt having anotch or groove 47 in which the radial arm 26 of the main support orframe 25 can extend. This cup-shaped member is secured to the bearingsupport 20 by circumferentially The gyratory' or massaging actionimparted by the eccentric 14 to the bearing support 20 is transmittedtolthis cup-shaped member 45, which preferably has an enYFwzM9 so thatother devices (not shown), such as rubber merntrer s, may be fittedreadily thereover for application to differentNpar-ts of a persons d ismade in two opposed sections 60, 61. The forward section has alongitudinally extending wall 62 integral with a forward end wall 63,through which the armature or rotor shaft 12 extends. The rearwardsection 61 also has a longitudinally extending wall 64 integral with therear end wall 39, which supports the rear end of the armature or rotorshaft 12, and which is also integral 1 with the transverse flange 38 towhich the flexible plate 32 is secured.

The motor rotor or armature 65 is attached in any suitable manner to theshaft 12, the forward end of the armature engaging a cooling fan 66having circumferentially spaced blades 67 thereon, the shaft extendingthrough an anti-friction bearing 68 mounted in the forward end wall 63of the housing. The inner race 69 of the anti-friction bearing snuglyfits the armature shaft 12, there being balls 70 rollable on the innerrace which, in turn, engage an outer race 71 received within a rubber orrubber-like cushioning member 72, of the same type as the cushioningmember 21 in which the eccentric hearing 17 is mounted. Thus, thecushioning member 72 includes a base portion 73 engaging a transverseshoulder 74 in the end wall 63 and circumferentially spaced fingers orbuttons 75 disposed around the outer race 71 t and engaging the innercylindrical wall of the bearing support 76 provided by the forward endwall 63.

Longitudinal movement of the rotor shaft 12 and the rotor 65 in aforward direction is prevented by engagement of a shoulder 77 on theshaft with the inner race 69 of the forward anti-friction hearing. Therear portion of the armature shaft is rotatably mounted in a rearanti-friction bearing 78 substantially the same as the forwardanti-friction hearing. The shoulder 79 at the rear portion of thearmature or rotor shaft engages this antifriction bearing 78, which alsobears against the base portion 80 of a rubber cushion member thatengages a transverse shoulder 81 of the rear end wall 39 of the housing.The outer race of the rear bearing 78 also engages and is encompassed bycircumferentially spaced fingers or button members 82 integral with thebase portion 80 of the cushion member that fits snugly within thecylindrical wall of the rear bearing support 83 which is integral withthe end wall 39 of the rearward housing section 61.

The stator 85 of the motor surrounds the rotor 65 and is disposed inboth the forward and rearward sec tions of the housing. It is locatedappropriately lengthwise of the housing by having its forward end 86engage shoulders 87 provided in the longitudinal wall 62 of the forwardsection 60. The stator is prevented from moving in a rearward directionwith respect to the hous: ing by virtue of a pair of spacer sleeves 88,a plate 89 for supporting the brushes 96 of the electric motor, and apair of threaded sleeves 91. As disclosed, the forward body" themassagmg actlon bemg trmmteithmugh ends of the spacer sleeves 88 engagethe rear end of such other devices to the desired region or regionm epersons body. i

A cup-shaped closure member 50 is also provided at the other or rear endof the main frame, this cup-shaped member fitting snugly over the outerend of the arm extension 31 and around the outer circular surfaces ofthe cross-piece or'bar 29. This cup-shaped member 50 also is providedwith a notch or groove 51 through which the radial arm 28 can pass, andit is firmly secured to the arm structure 28, 29, 31 by screws 52threaded into the extension and cross-piece. The end wall 53 of theclosure member has a bushing 54 therein through which an electric lineor cord 55 passes, which runs to flae electric motor 19 for the purposeof delivering the required current thereto.

The electric motor is of a strong and sturdy construction, beingcomparatively economical to manufacture, and maintained in a cool stateover extended periods, despite the imposition of relatively heavy loadsthereon.- As illustrated, it includes the,casing or housing 11, whichthe stator 85, the plate 89 engaging the rear ends of he spw gleeves,and the threaded sleeves 91 engaging the rear s1 e\of the brush holderplate 89. The end wall 39 of the rearwuard housing or casing sectionengages the rear end of e ach\thI eaded sleeve 91. A plul rality ofrelatively long screws 924s inserted through holes 93 in the forwardwall 63 of tmousing, these 4 screws passing through longitudinallyextendifigfitolegs 95 in the stator 85, through the spacer sleeves 88and\ the brush holding plate 89, with the threaded ends of the screwsthreaded into the threaded sleeves 91. The heads 95 of the screws aredisposed in recesses 96 and engage the base of said recesses orcounterbores when the screws 92 are tightened; The rearward section 61of the housing is secured to the forward section 60 by relatively shortscrews 97 inserted .through holes 98 in the rear end wall 39 of themotor casing, and threaded into the threaded sleeves 91. When tightened,theheads 99 of the screws are disposed in recesses or counterbores .100"in the end wall 39 and engage the bases of such By virtue of theconstruction described, the screws 92', 97, spacer sleeves 88; brushsupporting plate 89, and threaded sleevcs91, coupled with thee'ngagementof the stator -85'w1't;h the shoulder 87' for-med 'on theforward housing section 60; hold; the stationary parts of the motor inassembled relation. The stator 85 cannot move forwardly by virtue of itsengagement with the shoulder 87 and cannot move rearwardly by virtue ofits engagement with the spacer sleeves 88, tightening-of the screws 92clamping the stator 85, spacer sleeves 88; brush plate 89, andthreaded'sleeves91 against one another. Tightening of the screws 97 willsecure the ends of the forward =and -rearward-housing -sections 60;- 61-in abutment with one another. The-rotor-or armature shaft 12*hasacommutator 1 01 mounted'on its rear portion, and this; commutator isengagedbycarbon'or other brushes 90 that are slidable in holders 102secured to the supporting plate 89. Springs (not shown), or the like,are disposed in the holders to constantly urge the brushes 90 againstthe commutator 101. The current is fed to the brushes and to the statorin the usual manner from the electric line 55.

For the purpose of maintaining the massage unit and its motor in acomparativelycool state during extended periods of operation, provisionis made for circulating substantial quantities of air through theelectric motor In addition, large radiation surfaces are provided todissipate the heat produced in the motor. As disclosed, the exterior ofthe casing or housing 11 is provided with a plurality of longitudinalgrooves 105" extending substantially throughout the length of thecasing, which define cooling fins or ribs 106 therebetwcen. Aircirculating around such fins or ribs 106 will remove heat therefrom,this heat being drawn from the interior of the motor casing 11, throughthe casing wall itself. For the purpose of facilitating the holding ofthe electric motor in the hand of a person. during its use in performinga massaging action on the persons body, the casing-is, provided withlongitudinally extending finger recesses 107 on opposite sides of thecasing. These finger recesses 107 also increase the area to be contactedby ambientjair for the purpose of effecting cooling of the motor.,

Air isalso circulated through the motor during its rotationby thecooling fan 66. A substantial number of circumferentially spaced holes108: isprovided ineach endwall63, 39of the housing 11, the air beingdrawn through one set of holes, passing through the motor andbeingdischarged throughthe-other set of holes, Such ainwil l not onlypass between the rotor 65 andthe stator 85, but it is also caused tocirculate around the exterior of the stator and along the longitudinalwalls of both the forward and rearward sections 60, 61 of the casing. Itis to be noted that the interior of the longitudinally extending wallsof the casing is provided with circumferentially spaced air passages,grooves, or flutes 109, through which air can flow from one end of thecasing to the other and around the stator 85. Such air will not onlycool the casing 11, but it will also more effectively cool the statorand the rotor, drawing the heated air from these parts.

The circulation of air through the apparatus is further enhanced byproviding circumferentially spaced holm or ports 110 in the end walls49, 53 of the cup-shaped members 45, 50. Thus, the air dischargedthrough the holes 108 in the rear end wall 39 can pass laterally outthrough the space between the cup-shaped member 50 and the end wall 39,as well as through the cup-shaped membet and out through the holes 110in the end wall of the rear cup-shaped member.

'It is, accordingly, apparent that a massage machine has been providedwhich will have a smooth, quiet operation because of the several ballbearing constructions and the cushioning members provided in connectiontherewith. The motor-will= be maintained in a comparatJively coolstate,despite continued'use over extended periods and under heavy loadconditions, since a relativelylarge quantity of air is circulatedthrough the motor casing and around its several parts Ambient air canalso contact the exterior of the motor casing and remove air therefrom.In this connection, the casing may be made of aluminum, in order tosecure arapid dissipation of the heatgenerated in the apparatus. Theapparatus iseasy to assemble, the parts beingaccurately positioned: withrmpect to one another, and being held in assembled relation ina-relatively'simple manner, as, for example, through-the simpleexpedient: of the plurality of screws, the spacer-sleeves, and thethreaded sleeves;

The inventor'claims:

1. In a massage machine: a frame havinga base and spaced armsextendinginwardlyfrom said base; an. electric motor between said armsextending l'e'ngthwiseof said base, said motor including a casing havingforward and rearward end walls, a stator secured in said casing, arotor, a shaft secured to said rotor and having a portion extendingthrough said forward wall, a bearing on said shaft ateach end wall, apliant, elastic means engaging eachbearing and end wall and disposedcircumferentially around said bearingand between an end of said bearingand said end wall; eccentric means connecting said extending portionofsaid shaft to one of said arms; a flexible connection between saidrearward wall and the other of said arms; said end walls having holestherethrough; said casing having longitudinally extending grooves initsinner wall disposed outwardly of said stator; and means for circulatingair from the exterior of" said motor through the holes in one end wall,through said grooves in contact with said casing and the holes in theother end Wall to the exterior-of said motor.

2. In a massage machine: a frame having a base and spaced arms extendinginwardly from said base; an electric motor between said arms extendinglengthwise of said base, said motor including a casing having forwardand; rearward end walls, a stator secured in said casing, a rotor, ashaft secured to said rotor and having a portion extending through saidforward wall, a'bearing on said shaft at each end wall, a pliant,elastic means engaging each bearing and end wall and disposedcircumferentially around said bearing and between an end of said bearingand said end wall; eccentric means connect ing said shaft portion to oneof said arms; a flexible connection between said rearward wall and theother of said arms; said end walls having holes thercthrough; saidcasing having longitudinally extending grooves in its inner walldisposed outwardly of said stator; means for circulating air :from theexterior of said motor through the holes in one end wall, through saidgrooves in contact with said casing and the holes in the other end wallto the exterior of said motor; said casing having externallongitudinally extending grooves therein for increasing the coolingsurface of said casing.

3. In a massage machine: a frame having a base and spaced arms extendinginwardly from said base; an electric motor between said arms extendinglengthwise of said base, said motor including opposed forward andrearward casing sections abutting one another, said forward sectionhaving a forward end wall and said rearward section having a rearwardend wall, one of said sections having a shoulder therein, a stator insaid casing sections engaging said shoulder, threaded fastening meansextending through said stator and casing sections and common to saidstator and casing sections to secure said sections together and saidstator against said shoulder, a rotor, a shaft secured to said rotor androtatably mounted in said end walls and having a portion extendingthrough said forward wall; eccentric means connecting said shaft portionto one of said arms; a flexible connection between said rearward walland the other of said arms; said end walls having holes therethrough;said forward and rearward casing sections having aligned longitudinallyextending grooves in their inner walls disposed outwardly of saidstator; and means for circulating air from the exterior of said motorthrough the holes in one end wall, through said grooves in contact withsaid casing and the holes in the other end wall to the exterior of saidmotor.

4. In a massage machine: a frame having a base and spaced arms extendinginwardly from said base; an electric motor between said arms extendinglengthwise of said base, said motor including'opposed forward andrearward casing sections abutting one another, said forward sectionhaving a forward end wall and said rearward section having a rearwardend wall, one of said sections, having a shoulder therein, a stator insaid casing sections engaging said shoulder, threaded fastening meansextending through said stator and casing sections and common to saidstator and easing sections to secure said sections together and saidstator against said shoulder, a rotor, a shaft secured to said rotor andhaving a portion extending through said forward wall, a bearing on saidshaft at each end Wall, a pliant, elastic means engaging each bearingand end wall and disposed circumferentially around said bearing andbetween an end of said bearing and said end wall; eccentric meansconnecting said shaft portion to one of said arms; a flexible connectionbetween said rearward wall and the other of said arms; said end wallshaving holes therethrough; said casing sections having alignedlongitudinally extending grooves in their inner walls disposed outwardlyof said stator; and means for circulating air to the exterior of saidmotor through the holes in one end wall, through said grooves in contactwith said casing and the holes in the other end wall to exterior of saidmotor.

5. In a massage machine: a frame having a base and spaced arms extendinginwardly from said base; an electric motor between said arms extendinglengthwise of said base, said motor including opposed forward andrearward casing sections abutting one another, said for ward sectionhaving a forward end Wall and said rearward section having a rearwardend wall, one of said sections having a shoulder therein, a stator insaid casing sections engaging said shoulder, threaded fastening meansextending through said stator and easing sections and common to saidstator and casing sections to secure said sections together and saidstator against said shoulder, a rotor, a shaft secured to said rotor andhaving a portion extending through said forward wall, a bearing on saidshaft at each end wall, a pliant, elastic means engaging each bearingand end wall and disposed circumferentially around said bearing andbetween an end of said bearing and said end wall; eccentric meansconnecting said shaft portion to one of said arms; a flexible connectionbetween said rearward wall and the other of said arms; said end wallshaving holes therethrough; said casing sections having alignedlongitudinally extending grooves in their inner walls disposed outwardlyof said stator; means for circulating air from the exterior of saidmotor through the holes in one end wall, through said grooves in contactwith said casing and the holes in the other end wall to the exterior ofsaid motor; said casing sections having external longitudinallyextending grooves therein for increasing the cooling surface of saidcasing.

6. In a massage machine: a frame having a base and spaced arms extendinginwardly from said base; an electric motor between said arms extendinglengthwise of said base, said motor including a casing having forwardand rearward end walls, a stator secured in said casing, a rotor, ashaft secured to said rotor and having a portion extending through saidforward wall, a bearing on said shaft at each end wall, a pliant,elastic cushioning member between each bearing and adjacent end wall andincluding a base portion engaging an end of said bearing and adjacentend wall and circumferentially spaced buttons disposed around saidbearing and engaging said bearing and adjacent end wall; eccentric meansconnecting said extending portion of said shaft to one of said arms; aflexible connection between said rearward wall and the other of saidarms, said end walls having holes therethrough; said casing havinglongitudinally extending grooves in its inner Wall disposed outwardly ofsaid stator; and means for circulating air from the exterior of saidmotor through the holes in one end wall, through said grooves in contactwith said casing and the holes in the other end wall to the exterior ofsaid motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

